How life has changed for Wilmslow suicide survivor during pandemic

The 32-year-old mental health activist from Wilmslow was hugely triggered by the announcement, became terrified of catching Covid-19, and the suicidal thoughts they had experienced years earlier returned as their mental health worsened.

And even though John, who lives with multiple mental health conditions, had already launched John and Charlie’s Journey to support others and campaign for better awareness and services, they were planning to take their own life during this period.

John Junior and their fluffy companion, Charlie, on stage with Boyzone's Keith Duffy at the start of the John and Charlie's Journey campaign

Twelve months on, John has spoken very openly about how a Hollyoaks storyline around the subject of suicide helped to save their life, and now they have a film in development - based on their own experiences - which they hope will go on to help other people in a similar way.

Last month, John spoke to Ashleigh Taylor Dawson who played Darren in the harrowing Hollyoaks plotline on BBC Radio 5 Live, where he thanked him for the show saving his life.

(Image:BBC)

“If that storyline hadn’t happened I would not be here,” John told Ashleigh on air. “I'd be dead. That's the reality of it. You have saved my life."

Following the interview, script advisor Angela Samata who presented the BBC1 BAFTA nominated and winner of the Mind Media Award for Best Factual TV documentary, Life After Suicide, said: “Hearing the interview with John was just incredible, to hear that we'd got it so right, knowing that TV has got a huge part to play.”

And now Angela is one of several industry professionals who has offered support for John’s film The Mood is Temporary which John hopes will start shooting in Manchester and Cornwall next year, following a Crowdfunding campaign.

“I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s in development at the moment, but Angela has offered her support by agreeing to read the script when it’s finished.”

Chloe Richardson

John is currently developing the project with Falmouth University graduate Chloe Richardson, who lost her brother to suicide in 2019, and the pair are working with current Master’s student Lottie Smith, who has an in-depth understanding of the issues surrounding LGBTQ+ experience and mental health.

The plot follows a character called Harrison and his mental health journey, delving inside his mind to show something that wouldn’t be seen by friends and family on a day-to-day basis, as he hides it due to the stigma surrounding men and mental health.

Explaining their motivation, John said: “As with everything I’ve done through John and Charlie’s Journey, whether that’s lobbying our local MP, setting up petitions, or working with charities such as Papyrus UK or The Samaritans, I want to help people who are suffering alone with their own mental health and I hope that this project will stop others from the final symptom of depression.

“It’s based on things that I have experienced so will touch on issues such as abuse, suicidal thought, the stigma that people with mental health problems have to face and the struggle to get the right type of therapy.”

Reflecting on the past 12 months, John can’t believe how different they feel from those early days of following the Prime Minister’s first lockdown announcement.

John Junior

“Life has changed so much for me. Don’t get me wrong, I still struggle with my mental health daily, and the right sort of support that I need isn’t readily available to me yet, but I am going to carry on campaigning for that, and trying to help other people.

“People shouldn’t feel stigmatised for speaking up about their mental health. There is going to be a huge fall out from this past year and it makes me sick that mental health services are not funded or supported the way they should be, which is why I will keep on lobbying and campaigning for change.”

Visit John and Charlie's Journey to find out more, or check John's Instagram page for film updates.